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Security forces have made arrests and are looking for the people who sent out the original text messages calling for the strike, police spokesman Arnaldo Chefo said in an interview in the city today.

"Our efforts are to stop the strike and we have mobilized all our resources to control it," he said. "We do not know who is organizing it, but we are trying to identify the strike leaders or organizers."

The government plans to raise water and electricity rates by 30 percent today and the price of bread by 25 percent on Sept 6.

Fuel and cement prices have also risen. Riots in 2008 against food and fuel price increases left at least three people dead.

Schools and shops have been ordered to close as a security measure, Mr Chefo said. The organizers of the strike had not applied for permission in line with laws in the southern African country.

The television channel showed images of police throwing tear gas and said a person had died while some people, including police officers, have been admitted to hospitals with injuries.